Obama honors University of Alabama geologist as up-and-coming researcher

Samantha Hansen, a University of Alabama assistant professor of geological sciences, still plans to leave Nov. 4 for her second research season in Antarctica, where she will check earthquake-monitoring equipment in hopes of understanding the origins of Antarctica's longest mountain range.

Tuscaloosa News

By Ed EnochStaff Writer | The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Monday, January 6, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, January 6, 2014 at 5:12 p.m.

University of Alabama geologist Samantha Hansen got a holiday surprise when she learned a couple of days before Christmas she was among 102 up-and-coming researchers recognized by President Barack Obama's administration for their innovative research and commitment to community service.

"I was deliriously happy, surprised and overwhelmed in a good way," she said.

Hansen, a UA assistant professor of geological sciences, is among the winners of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, according to a release from the White House. Hansen is scheduled to receive the award at a Washington, D.C.-ceremony sometime this year, according to UA.

The award, given to nominees whose research is funded by or work for the federal government, is highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on scientists and engineers in the early stages of their independent research careers, according to the White House release.

"The impressive achievements of these early-stage scientists and engineers are promising indicators of even greater successes ahead," Obama said in a statement released with the announcement of the awards. "We are grateful for their commitment to generating the scientific and technical advancements that will ensure America's global leadership for many years to come."

Hansen was aware of the award, but said she was unaware she had been nominated by the National Science Foundation, which awarded her a five-year $715,000 CAREER grant that has funded her trips to Antarctica to research the formation of the Transantarctic Mountains.

"I didn't actually know I was going to get this," she said.

Hansen is studying the mountains using seismic sensors that use energy signals from earthquakes occurring worldwide to create images of the range, much of which is covered in deep snow and ice.

Hansen and two UA graduate students returned from her most recent trip to Antarctica last month to retrieve data. Hansen said she collected more than 200 gigabytes of data from the sensors.

The National Science Foundation and other similar federal departments and agencies that fund research or employ the scientists and engineers make the nominations annually for the awards. The nominations are based on early accomplishments that show great promise for assuring America's pre-eminence in science and engineering and contribute to the awarding agencies' missions, according to the White House.

The awards, established by President Bill Clinton in 1996, are coordinated by the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President.

<p>University of Alabama geologist Samantha Hansen got a holiday surprise when she learned a couple of days before Christmas she was among 102 up-and-coming researchers recognized by President Barack Obama's administration for their innovative research and commitment to community service.</p><p>"I was deliriously happy, surprised and overwhelmed in a good way," she said.</p><p>Hansen, a UA assistant professor of geological sciences, is among the winners of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, according to a release from the White House. Hansen is scheduled to receive the award at a Washington, D.C.-ceremony sometime this year, according to UA.</p><p>The award, given to nominees whose research is funded by or work for the federal government, is highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on scientists and engineers in the early stages of their independent research careers, according to the White House release.</p><p>"The impressive achievements of these early-stage scientists and engineers are promising indicators of even greater successes ahead," Obama said in a statement released with the announcement of the awards. "We are grateful for their commitment to generating the scientific and technical advancements that will ensure America's global leadership for many years to come."</p><p>Hansen was aware of the award, but said she was unaware she had been nominated by the National Science Foundation, which awarded her a five-year $715,000 CAREER grant that has funded her trips to Antarctica to research the formation of the Transantarctic Mountains.</p><p>"I didn't actually know I was going to get this," she said.</p><p>Hansen is studying the mountains using seismic sensors that use energy signals from earthquakes occurring worldwide to create images of the range, much of which is covered in deep snow and ice.</p><p>Hansen and two UA graduate students returned from her most recent trip to Antarctica last month to retrieve data. Hansen said she collected more than 200 gigabytes of data from the sensors.</p><p>The National Science Foundation and other similar federal departments and agencies that fund research or employ the scientists and engineers make the nominations annually for the awards. The nominations are based on early accomplishments that show great promise for assuring America's pre-eminence in science and engineering and contribute to the awarding agencies' missions, according to the White House.</p><p>The awards, established by President Bill Clinton in 1996, are coordinated by the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President.</p><p> </p><p><i>Reach Ed Enoch at ed.enoch@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0209.</i></p>